298 TETRAONID.K. 



in liis Appendix, page 626, — a Capercali cock that fre- 

 quented a wood, a mile distant from Renthendorf, in which 

 was a path or roadway. This bird, as soon as it perceived 

 any person approacli, Avoiild fly towards him, peck at his legs, 

 and rap him with its wings, and was with difficulty driven 

 away. A huntsman succeeded in taking this bird, and 

 carried it to a place about fourteen English miles distant ; 

 but on the following day the Capercali resumed his usual 

 haunt. Another person afterwards caught him, with a view 

 of carrying him to the Ofwer Jagmiistare. At first the bird 

 remained quiet ; but he soon began to tear and peck at the 

 man so effectually, that the latter was compelled to restore 

 him to his liberty. However, after a few months he totally 

 disappeared, having probably fallen into the hands of a less 

 timid bird-catcher." 



Mr. Lloyd says, " The Capercali occasionally breed with 

 the Black Grouse, and the produce are in Sweden called 

 Racklehanen ; these partake of the leading characters of both 

 species, but their size and colour greatly depend upon whe- 

 ther they have been produced between the Capercali cock 

 and the Grey hen, or vice versa.'''' Females of these hybrids 

 appear to be much more rare than males ; but neither sex, 

 according to Mr. Lloyd, are common : he had, however, him- 

 self shot one, and his sporting friend, Mr. Falk, had shot 

 two. Among the quantities of Capercaillie which are received 

 every season in the London market, and are said to come 

 from Norway, the male birds of this hybrid are occasionally 

 to be found. Within the last ten years I have certainly seen 

 as many as seven specimens at the shop of one poulterer, four 

 of which were in beautiful plumage, and were purchased by 

 Mr. Leadbeater, Mr. Gould, or others, to preserve for collec- 

 tions. This hybrid appears to be well known in those 

 countries which are inhabited by the Black Grouse as well 

 a.s the Ca})crcaillic, and has been named by various authors 



